Taylor Farms’ Demand Planning Transformation

Client Overview

Taylor Farms (TF) is North America’s largest supplier of salads and fresh foods, with an estimated revenue of $1.7 billion. Operating across multiple facilities, TF supplies fresh produce to foodservice and retail companies across the continent, requiring precise demand planning and an adaptable, resilient infrastructure.

Challenge

Taylor Farms initially faced challenges with fragmented demand planning and legacy systems that lacked integration across their facilities. These limitations impacted their ability to forecast accurately and respond efficiently to shifting market demands. Furthermore, as the company grew, it became clear that a more modern and scalable system was needed to handle their expanding operations.

Objectives

Improve Demand Forecasting: Establish accurate demand forecasting across nine facilities.

Enhance Scalability: Implement solutions that could scale with TF’s growing footprint in North America.

Transition to Modern ERP: Support TF in migrating from Microsoft AX to Microsoft D365 to improve data integration and operational flexibility.

Solution

1. Demand Planning Software Implementation

DBM Consulting Services led the implementation of a demand planning software solution across nine manufacturing facilities. This involved collaborating closely with TF’s internal teams to integrate forecasting tools into their daily operations. The solution provided data centralization, allowing TF to generate unified, real-time demand forecasts.

2. Ongoing Technical and Business Process Support

Following the software deployment, DBM provided continuous support, monitoring system performance, and making enhancements based on TF’s feedback. This support extended beyond technical troubleshooting to business process alignment, ensuring that Taylor Farms could make the most of their demand planning software.

3. Microsoft D365 Migration

Recognizing the limitations of Microsoft AX, DBM worked with TF on an organization-wide migration to Microsoft D365. This migration allowed for enhanced scalability, real-time data processing, and improved cross-functional integration. DBM provided expertise in data migration and user training, ensuring minimal disruption to TF’s daily operations during the transition.

Results

Increased Forecast Accuracy: TF improved its demand forecasting accuracy by approximately 20%, leading to better inventory management and reduced waste.

Scalability and Efficiency Gains: The D365 migration allowed TF to scale operations effectively as they expanded into new markets. TF reported a reduction in order processing time by 15%, translating to faster response times for clients.

Consistent Year-over-Year Growth: With streamlined operations and improved planning, Taylor Farms experienced double-digit growth over nine years, with DBM’s solutions supporting their ability to meet demand without overextending resources.

Conclusion

Through tailored technical consulting, seamless software implementation, and robust ongoing support, DBM Consulting Services has played a crucial role in Taylor Farms’ digital transformation. This partnership has empowered TF to scale sustainably, improve operational efficiency, and maintain a leadership position in the fresh foods market.